Ball and cup game and method for playing

ABSTRACT

A game system for playing a ball and cup game is disclosed. The game system includes an array of seven integrally-formed, sixteen-ounce decreasing-radius cups coupled together in a substantially hexagonal shape, a shaft having a top end coupled to an underside of the array, wherein a length of the shaft is up to about 50 inches, a quadruple-pronged base coupled to a bottom end of the shaft and at least one ball with a diameter that fits within the sixteen-ounce, decreasing-radius cup.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to ball games, and more particularly to ball and cup games for two or more players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various ball and cup games that involve balls, such as ping pong balls, and sets of cups have been around for many years. A popular game of this sort is the well-known “beirut” or “beer pong” family of games that involve setting up sets of cups, often in a triangle shape, on either side of a table. Beer or other liquids may be present within the cups. Each player stands next to a set of cups. The purpose of the game is to throw balls into the cups of your opponent. When a ball is successfully tossed into a cup then that cup is removed from the set. There are many variations on this type of game, including variations on the number of cups, the number of throws allowed for each player, the contents within the cups and the different ways in which cups are eliminated from the set. But the common theme among the “beer pong” family of games includes throwing balls, such as ping pong balls, into the cups of an opponent until all of the cups are removed.

One of the problems associated with ball and cup games is that the arrangement of cups are generally in a triangle shape, similar to the way balls are racked in billiards games or pool tables. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0188942 shows this arrangement of cups in a “beer pong” type game. This arrangement is cumbersome to maintain as the cups are normally placed on a flat table surface with no other support. During game play, the cups are constantly being moved or they may shift when balls or players touch or hit the cups. These cups must be closely managed to retain a triangular shape. This management of cups makes it difficult for players to focus on the game. Often times, accurate cup formations are not being used which can lead to confusion and arguments during league play. The need to manage the playing field affects the perception of the game and particularly the user-friendliness of the game.

Another problem involves scoring. In “beer pong,” when a ping pong lands into a cup of an opponent's set, then that cup is removed and the contents of the cup, usually beer, must be drunk. The game is won by eliminating the opponents set of cups. Not only is this a timely disruption in the game, but there are potential health risks. The ping pong balls often are in players grasp and frequently touch the ground. When the ball lands into a cup with liquid, there is transfer of potential germs. Players then remove the ball with their fingers and consume the liquid. Cups are often used in more than one game so there is additional transfer of germs when drinking from the same cup. Lastly, spills from cups that are knocked over or bumped require extensive cleanup and disruption to the game. This can be annoying, time consuming and a potential health hazard to players.

Yet another problem associated with conventional ball and cup games involves the use of a table—namely, the game is limited to the height and length of the particular table being used. The height of a conventional table, however, can often be too low or too high for a conventional ball and cup game. And since there are few, if any, tables commercially available for playing conventional ball and cup games, players are usually resigned to using an existing table that is not the preferred height. The length is also an important difficulty factor that is limited by the table. Cups cannot be positioned further away than the length of the table allows, and cannot be positioned too close, or else players cannot reach the foul line from which to toss. These factors involving a table for play can limit players from optimizing the playing field according to their size and skill level. In addition, the need to have a table makes it difficult to transport the game.

Therefore, there is a need to traverse the deficiencies in the prior art and more particularly there is a need for a more efficient and easy to use ball and cup game system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a game system for playing a ball and cup game is disclosed. The game system includes an array of seven integrally-formed, sixteen-ounce decreasing-radius cups coupled together in a substantially hexagonal shape, a shaft having a top end coupled to an underside of the array, wherein a length of the shaft is up to about 50 inches, a quadruple-pronged base coupled to a bottom end of the shaft and at least one ball with a diameter that fits within the sixteen-ounce, decreasing-radius cup.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a game system for playing a ball and cup game includes an array of a plurality of integrally-formed cups coupled together in a substantially hexagonal shape, a shaft having a top end coupled to an underside of the array, a base coupled to a bottom end of the shaft and at least one ball with a diameter that fits within a cup.

In another embodiment of the present invention, ball and cup game system for at least two players includes a pair of cup arrays, wherein each cup array corresponds to at least one player, wherein each cup array comprises an array of a plurality of integrally-formed cups coupled together. The ball and cup game system further includes a plurality of balls corresponding to each player, wherein each ball includes a diameter that fits within a cup and a set of game rules providing for each player to throw his plurality of balls towards the cup array of the other player, whereupon points are awarded to a player based on a location of a cup into which the player threw a ball, and wherein the player that is awarded the most points, wins.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 a perspective view of the cup stand apparatus of the present invention, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 a perspective view of various components of the cup stand apparatus of the present invention, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cup stand apparatus of the present invention in a disassembled state, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cup stand apparatus of the present invention in an assembled state, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of two players playing using the cup stand apparatus of the present invention, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of two players playing using the cup array apparatus of the present invention resting on a table, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. In the drawings, like numerals refer to like parts through several views.

The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, overcomes problems with the prior art by providing a more efficient and easy to use ball and cup game system. The ball and cup game system of the present invention provides a cup array in a hexagonal-shaped grouping, thereby equalizing the possibilities of succeeding in throwing balls into any cup in the grouping and preventing arguments about configurations as cups are removed. This increases the user-friendliness of the game of the present invention. Further, the present invention provides a set of integrally-formed cups, thereby eliminating the possibility that the cups may shift or move when balls or players touch or hit the cups. If it is desired to play with rules similar to “beer pong,” then removable sixteen ounce cups can be placed into each of the integrally-formed cups. When a ball lands into the cup, the cup is removed and the liquid is consumed. This reduces or eliminates spills of liquids within the cups, and subsequent cleanup and rearrangement of the cups. Lastly, the present invention provides a standalone, specially-made cup stand at the optimal height for playing a ball and cup game. This arrangement facilitates quick assembly of the game and easy transport of the game system.

The invention shall now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6 below. FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the cup stand apparatus 100 of the present invention, as well as its components, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of the cup stand apparatus 100 of the present invention in various states of assembly. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict game play. The apparatus 100 includes a hexagonal-shaped cup array 102 having seven cups 104 distributed uniformly among the hexagonal-shaped array 102, wherein each cup comprises a sixteen-ounce, decreasing-radius cup. A decreasing-radius cup includes a cylindrical shape wherein the radius of the cup is larger at its top and steadily decreases or becomes smaller at its base end. The components of cup array 102 are integrally formed from a single, continuous piece of material, such as a single piece of plastic that may be injection molded. Each cup 104 of the cup array 102 may be sized to accept the insertion of an actual disposable, sixteen-ounce, decreasing radius cup, such that the actual disposable cup is secure within the cup 104. Note that although FIG. 1 shows cup array 102 including sixteen-ounce, decreasing-radius cups 104, the present invention supports cups of any shape or volume.

FIG. 1 also shows a vertical shaft 106 having a top end coupled to an underside of the array 102, wherein a length of the shaft 106 is up to about 50 inches. Preferably, the shaft 106 has a length of 33 inches. The shaft 106 may be an extruded plastic element having a hollow cylindrical shape. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shaft 106 is adjustable so as to allow the height of the shaft to be modified. In this embodiment, the shaft 106 may have a telescoping feature.

FIG. 1 also shows a quadruple-pronged base 109 coupled to a bottom end of the shaft 106. Located on a top surface of quadruple-pronged base 109 is a depression or cylindrical shaped hollow volume 204 (see FIG. 2) that allows for insertion of the bottom of the shaft 106 so as to make a friction fit. Located on an underside of cup array 102 is a depression or cylindrical shaped hollow volume 202 (see FIG. 2) that allows for insertion of the top of the shaft 106 so as to make a friction fit. FIG. 3 shows the cup stand 100 in a disassembled state, with the shaft 106 being separate from the array 102 and base 109. FIG. 4 shows the cup stand 100 in an assembled state, with the top of shaft 106 being inserted into the depression 202 under the array 102 and the bottom of shaft 106 being inserted into the depression 204 on top of the base 109.

The present invention anticipates a game with a set of rules as follows. Each player is associated with a cup stand and a set of balls. Each player stands next to his cup stand. The cup stands are preferably placed 5-10 feet apart. When throwing a ball, a player must not move beyond a horizontal line that extends through a center of the cup stand that corresponds to that player. For example, FIG. 5 shows player 502 standing next to the cup stand 504 that corresponds to player 502. Player 502 is shown throwing a ball 506 towards the cup stand 514 of player 512. Note that player 512 is shown standing next to the cup stand 514, which correspond to that player. The ball 506 may be a ping pong ball or any other ball that fits within the sixteen-ounce decreasing radius cup of his opponent.

The game is played as a series of turns. In each turn, a player (the “offensive” player) throws his balls towards the cup stand of the “defensive” player, attempting to land his balls within the cups of the defensive player. Points are awarded based on the location of the cup into which an offensive player throws a ball. The center cup may be awarded a larger number of points, such as 3 points, compared to a cup in the outer ring, which may award 1 point. Points are tallied to each player's score after his turn is finished. A score threshold, such as 21 points, may mark the goal that must be reached by a player in order to win the entire game.

In one embodiment, a point is awarded to the defensive player if he intercepts a ball thrown by the offensive player after the ball has made contact with the cup stand or other surface or is below the top plane of the cup array. Also, additional points, such as double points, are awarded to an offensive player if the player bounces a ball off a surface before the ball enters an opponent's cup.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cup array 102 may be removed from the shaft 106 and base 109 and may be used on its own in game play. In this embodiment, the cup array 102 may be placed on a table, on the floor or any other raised or lowered surface. FIG. 6 shows players utilizing cup arrays on a table 606 in game play. For example, FIG. 6 shows player 602 standing next to the cup array 604 that corresponds to player 602. Player 602 is shown throwing a ball 608 towards the cup array 610 of player 612. Note that player 612 is shown standing next to the cup array 610, which correspond to that player.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, if it is desired to play by “beer pong” rules, then separate, disposable, sixteen-once cups filled with beer or other liquids may be placed in each of the integrally-formed cups 104 in each cup array 102. This will allow players to remove the disposable cups and drink the liquid. In this way, the cup array 102 aids players by preventing disposable cups from falling over or moving around during game play. It is also a good training device for professional “beer pong” players as it allows them to easily transport, store and set up the game as well as optimize the distance between stands.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A game system for playing a ball and cup game, comprising: an array of seven integrally-formed, sixteen-ounce decreasing-radius cups coupled together in a substantially hexagonal shape; a shaft having a top end coupled to an underside of the array, wherein a length of the shaft is up to about 50 inches; a quadruple-pronged base coupled to a bottom end of the shaft; and at least one ball with a diameter that fits within the sixteen-ounce, decreasing-radius cup.
 2. The game system of claim 1, wherein the array further comprises a depression that accepts a portion of the top end of the shaft.
 3. The game system of claim 2, wherein the quadruple-pronged base comprises a depression that accepts a portion of the bottom end of the shaft.
 4. The game system of claim 3, wherein the shaft comprises extruded plastic.
 5. A game system for playing a ball and cup game, comprising: an array of a plurality of integrally-formed cups coupled together in a substantially hexagonal shape; a shaft having a top end coupled to an underside of the array; a base coupled to a bottom end of the shaft; and at least one ball with a diameter that fits within a cup.
 6. The game system of claim 5, wherein the array further comprises a depression that accepts a portion of the top end of the shaft.
 7. The game system of claim 6, wherein the base comprises a depression that accepts a portion of the bottom end of the shaft.
 8. The game system of claim 7, wherein the shaft comprises extruded plastic.
 9. A ball and cup game system for at least two players, comprising: a pair of cup arrays, wherein each cup array corresponds to at least one player, wherein each cup array comprises an array of a plurality of integrally-formed cups coupled together; a plurality of balls corresponding to each player, wherein each ball includes a diameter that fits within a cup; and a set of game rules providing for each player to throw his plurality of balls towards the cup array of the other player, whereupon points are awarded to a player based on a location of a cup into which the player threw a ball, and wherein the player that is awarded the most points, wins.
 10. The ball and cup game system of claim 9, wherein the set of game rules further provides for: positioning the cup arrays from about 5 feet to about 10 feet apart; and positioning each cup array adjacent to the player to which the cup array corresponds.
 11. The ball and cup game system of claim 10, wherein the set of game rules further provides for: awarding additional points to a player if the player catches a ball thrown by an opponent; and awarding additional points to a player if the player bounces a ball off a surface before the ball enters a cup.
 12. The ball and cup game system of claim 11, wherein the set of game rules further provides for declaring a first player to reach a predetermined score threshold the winner. 